Presslist

Direct Democracy Party in Poland

Origins of the Party

The first major event that led to the emergence of the Direct Democracy Party (Demokracja Bezpośrednia, DB) in Poland was a wave of demonstrations in Europe against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). The first demonstrations took place in Poland in January 2012. It was then that people first realised they were unable to formally block any decision taken by their government. The government, appointed to represent their interests and to never act against them, was initially deaf to the demonstrations and waded further into a wrong decision. The agreement was signed but the Sejm (lower chamber of the Polish Parliament), influenced by the demonstrating youth across the entire country, withdrew its ratification. The ACTA case became a prime example of the concealing of information from citizens, the lack of transparency in decision-making, the ineptitude of the Opposition as well as the extent of the influence large corporations have over the Government of Poland. It transpired that people, who themselves had revealed the information about the ACTA agreement, did not have any formally endorsed power to block national laws that go against them.

The second significant event occured when the Sejm approved a petition by the Solidarity Trade Union for a referendum on extending the retirement age. In this case the citizens’ voice again proved ineffective. Equally ineffective were the signatures of 2 million people, gathered in just one month, petitioning for a national referendum rejected by the Sejm. Neither of those actions would, and could never, have happened in any direct democracy country where citizens’ petitions are legally binding to the Parliament and do not need its approval.

Frustrated by the state of affairs, members of various associations and foundations fighting for direct democracy values, proponents of single-member constituencies, and participants of the recent anti-ACTA protests converged via the Internet and founded the Direct Democracy Party. The District Court in Warsaw registered the Party on the 27 of August 2012. The first general meeting of its members was held a month later.

What distinguishes the new Direct Democracy Party from other choices in the Polish political spectrum?

1. Direct Democracy is the first completely ideologically neutral party in the history of Poland. It does not take a political position with respect to such pressing issues as government in vitro funding, abortion laws, and religious influence in the country. Nor does it have a postulate of an economic nature. The idea of direct democracy has brought together representatives of the right, center, left, free-market, and state interventionism supporters. They stand united in the fight to preserve democracy and freedom of speech. Therefore, the party does not impose on its members any disciplined, party-line voting. Direct Democracy deputies and senators will have the right to vote in the Parliament in accordance with their own conscience and their own individual social and economic platform declared before elections.

2. The party does not have recognizable faces. Nor is it a common platform for prominent representatives of other political parties. Its focus falls on the ground work, the activities of the local government, and the support for local referenda committees.

3. Direct Democracy is the first Party with no traditional party leader. Its statute and internal organization are based on the principles of direct democracy. The governing body is made up of its administrators and its representatives, all of whom can be voted out, jointly or individually, at any time. The main directions of the party are determined at general meetings. Each member has an equal right to shape the party program and its statutes. All county branches have maximum autonomy. Electoral candidates are selected through primaries in constituencies by all the members.

Who are the members of the Direct Democracy Party?

Direct Democracy party members are not recruited from existing political parties. The membership of the party consists of independent, grassroots social activists as well as representatives of various non-government organizations that for many years have been actively involved in the democratization of the Polish political system. Supporters of single-member constituencies also joined the Direct Democracy movement (in Poland parliamentary elections are based on proportional party-list system).

Direct Democracy Program

Members of the Direct Democracy party respect the principle of the party’s ideological neutrality. This means that among the postulates of the party program, no ideological position on political issues is expressed. The party is not defined as left-wing or right-wing, liberal or social. The idea of direct democracy unites people of all political and social backgrounds. This is a completely innovative approach to politics. What brings party members together is the fight for true democracy and freedom of speech, regardless of their personal philosophical views.

The party program coined the "Turquoise (R)evolution" comprises of twenty five postulates divided into five chapters. The first five basic postulates, contained in the opening section of the program, concern a direct democracy political system. The party proposes the introduction into the Polish legal system of a Swiss-style referendum, the folk veto (possible repeal of the law by citizens), the right to recall a politician during his or her term in office, the liberalization of the public right to initiate legislation as well as the implementation of a comprehensive system of Internet voting.

Apart from the abovementioned five postulates which constitute the foundation of the program, members of the party have developed, through the ongoing dialogue, other vital solutions that will improve the current constitutional status-quo in the country. These include the elimination of immunity and privileges of parliamentarians, a general election of public prosecutors, the abolition of surveillance of civilians, the introduction of a balanced budget, and protecting the freedom of the Internet.

Direct Democrats promise dissolution of the party after all twenty five postulates in its program have been successfully implemented in Poland. Direct Democracy parliamentarians will then join other political movements or groups, while the former activists will join the ranks of those who fight for direct democracy in Europe. Full text is available in Polish at www.db.org.pl.

Turquoise (R)evolution

The Direct Democracy Party has formulated its own action plan aimed at introducing to Poland the system of direct democracy. This is new in comparison to other political parties in Poland. The purpose of the Direct Democracy Party is to introduce to Polish politics a completely new system of values. Since the party is a part of an international movement for direct democracy, it must find its own place as a separate, political movement with its own unique identity. The "Turquoise (R)evolution" – comprises of 10 achievable steps:

1. Legal preparatory work. 2. Program development. 3. Broadening the ranks of members and supporters. 4. Social revolution and education. 5. Participation in European Parliament elections. 6. Participation in local government elections. 7. Participation in presidential elections. 8. Participation in parliamentary elections. 9. Introduction of direct democracy in Poland. 10. Party dissolution and international activity.

At present the party members are engaged in the implementation of the third and the fourth steps in preparation for the upcoming elections.

Outlook

Since its inception, the Party has been exponentially gaining new members and supporters. Party members are working with local media to support local initiatives. The Direct Democracy Party is currently the only viable alternative to other, traditional, political parties in Poland.